Rosmarinic Acid

Rosmarinic Acid is a polyphenol derived from many common herbal plants of the Lamiaceae group: rosemary, sage, spanish sage, oregano, basil, marjoram, thyme, the mint group, lavender, perilla and lemon balm. It is currently being studied for its effects on Alzheimer's Disease and some other diseases.

Botanical Classification of the Plant Source:

Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family).

Genus and Species known to contain significant amounts of Rosmarinic Acid:

Origanum Vulgare (Oregano)

Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary)

Salvia Officinalis (Sage)

Salvia Lavandulifolia (Spanish Sage)

Melissa Officinalis (Lemon Balm)

Distribution: centered on Europe.

Properties of Rosmarinic Acid:

anti-oxidant.

anti-inflammatory.

breaks-up amyloid-beta conglomerates of Alzheimer's Disease in laboratory studies. It is water soluble and thus may carry out its amyloid-beta clearing activity inside the cells as well as outside.

Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary):

height: usually a shrub, 0.3 - 1 metre.

leaves: evergreen; opposite pairs, forming a cross; the leaves are the usual source of rosmarinic acid. The rosmarinic acid content of these plants is greatly enhanced by environmental stress, as the polyphenol is a defence against such stress. The Rosemary plant survives in a hot, dry and windy environment in its native Mediterranean seaside niche, surviving on dew from the sea.

Historical Uses:

It has been used as a food flavoring, beverage, food preservative and as a cosmetic.

Rosmarinic Acid in its natural state as part of a herb has been used to strengthen the memory and to improve mood by dispersing melancholy.

As a memory strengthener Rosmarinic Acid is a natural complement to Turmeric Extract: the former works inside the brain cells, breaking up amyloid-beta conglomerates, while the latter does the same outside the cells.

Quotations from Research Articles on Rosmarinic Acid

Article 1: "Traditional use and clinical reports suggest that the culinary herb sage (Salvia officinalis) may be effective for patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we evaluated the effect of a standardized extract from the leaves of S. officinalis (SOE) and its active ingredient rosmarinic acid on Alzheimer amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta)-induced toxicity in cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Incubation of PC12 cells with Abeta (fragment 1-42) for 24 h caused cell death, and this effect was reduced by SOE and its active ingredient, rosmarinic acid... These data show the neuroprotective effect of sage against Abeta-induced toxicity, which could validate the traditional use of this spice in the treatment of AD. ..."

Article 2: "Inhibition of the accumulation of amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) and the formation of beta-amyloid fibrils (fAbeta) from Abeta, as well as the destabilization of preformed fAbeta in the central nervous system, would be attractive therapeutic targets for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD)... Cur (Curcumin) and RA (Rosmarinic Acid) dose-dependently inhibited fAbeta formation from Abeta(1-40) and Abeta(1-42), as well as their extension. In addition, they dose-dependently destabilized preformed fAbetas."

Article 3: "OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of Melissa officinalis extract using a fixed dose (60 drops/day) in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease... RESULTS: At four months, Melissa officinalis extract produced a significantly better outcome on cognitive function than placebo ... There were no significant differences in the two groups in terms of observed side effects except agitation, which was more common in the placebo group ... CONCLUSIONS: Melissa officinalis extract is of value in the management of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease and has a positive effect on agitation in such patients."

This website acknowledges Pubmed (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) as source for medical research abstracts.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Pregnant or lactating women, diabetics, hypoglycemics, and people with known medical conditions and/or taking medicines should consult with a licensed physician and/or pharmacist prior to taking dietary supplements.